The holidays are always a stressful time of year, but the anxiety tends to ramp up even more when thoughts turn to New Year's Eve.
Between the crowds, the jacked-up cover charges, and the immense social pressure to have capital-F fun on the last day on the calendar, if you're not properly prepared, ringing in the new year can often feel more like a chore than a celebration.
Thankfully, as Whistler has continued its evolution into a four-season resort that caters to virtually every kind of guest you can fathom, New Year's Eve in the resort offers a little something for everyone. So whether you're looking to let loose and cut some rug, to indulge in a sumptuous multi-course feast, or jump around in a bouncy castle with the rest of the family, Whistler's got you covered this Dec. 31st.
Check out Pique's rundown of just some of the events on offer this New Year's Eve, and flip through this week's issue for more information on all the ways to ring in 2018.
Whistler Presents New Year's Eve
The resort's signature family event welcomes revellers to not one but two village venues this New Year's Eve.
From 6 to 11 p.m., both the Whistler Conference Centre and Maury Young Arts Centre will be hosting a night of fun for the whole family that will include live entertainment, games, crafts, hands-on activities and early New Year's Eve countdowns for the kids.
This alcohol-free celebration is ticketed, and costs $12.50 per person until Dec. 29, and $15 after that. Free for kids two and under. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Tickets are available at the venues, the Meadow Park Sports Centre, and the Whistler Visitor Centre.
Fire & Ice
A Sunday-night staple for several winters now, the jaw-dropping Fire & Ice show at Skier's Plaza is always an extra special affair during the holidays. Featuring snow-sport athletes performing death-defying jumps through flaming rings, the New Year's Eve edition will be capped by a dazzling display of fireworks, thanks to the Resort Municipality of Whistler.
This hot ticket actually won't cost you anything at all. Free to attend, Fire & Ice is one show that won't break your bank this New Year's Eve. The show lights up at 11 p.m., with fireworks at midnight.
The Garibaldi Lift Company
The GLC is the place to be for the best views of the mountain, and with the aforementioned Fire & Ice show kicking off right on the beloved après spot's doorstep, the newly renovated patio offers you a front row seat to all the flippy action.
If that's not your style, inside, the GLC will welcome two of Whistler's favourite DJs, Kori K and Foxy Moron, who will be spinning party jams all night long.
"It gives people lots of flexibility in what they want to do," says manager Mike Wilson.
The $75 ticket grants you two Ciroc Vodka cocktails, plus a mini champagne bottle at the stroke of midnight.
Tickets at showpass.com.
Moe Joe's
The stars — and glowsticks — aligned at Moe Joe's this year with its beloved Sunday Glow Party happening to coincide with New Year's Eve.
"We can fall back on the fact that even if it wasn't New Year's Eve, we'd be having a raging party," says club co-owner Greg Britnell.
The Glow Party has been illuminating Whistler since 2008, when it was held exclusively in the winter. But as its popularity grew, Moe Joe's began to host the neon-infused electro-music night all year round.
The club is pulling out all the stops for New Year's Eve, with DJs La Dooda, Darley, and Tellum pumping out a mix of high-octane house, dance, hip-hop and club anthems, and an explosion of cold smoke and glow-in-the-dark confetti planned for midnight.
Tickets are $49 and include a champagne toast, available at clubzone.com.
Garfinkel's
It will be a night of winter whimsy at Whistler's largest nightclub this New Year's Eve.
The Winter Wonderland party at Garf's asks guests to don a mask of their choice before unveiling themselves at midnight. Billed as "the most elegant NYE in Whistler," the festivities include Top-40 favourites and club hits from DJ Joni T and guests, party favours, and a champagne toast.
The first 100 people will also receive their own specially made New Year's Eve mask to keep and take home. Tickets are $75, at gibbonswhistler.com.
Maxx Fish
Start the year off with a little strut in your step thanks to Maxx Fish and the dynamic DJ duo, the Funk Hunters. The foot-tappin', head-noddin' electro music duo is coming from Vancouver to funkafy your New Year's Eve, with a little help from local DJs Fidel Cashflow and Nevin C-Stylez. Magician Clinton W. Gray will also be roaming the club with his mind-blowing tricks.
After you've worked up an appetite on the dance floor, there will be a midnight toast and buffet courtesy of La Bocca Restaurant.
Entry also includes free party favours and a professional photographer for group shots of you and your friends. Tickets are $55 at maxxfish.com.
Tommy Africa's
It's a night of bubbles and dancing at Tommy's this New Year's Eve, all set to the soundtrack of your favourite tunes from the past year.
Tommy's resident DJ Dre Morel will be keeping the dance floor packed, while Ciroc Vodka will be pouring shots to keep the party going.
Your $49 tickets, available at tommyafricas.com, include appies and a champagne toast.
The Longhorn
The Longhorn's NYE Masquerade Ball offers the best of both worlds: an unmatched nightclub experience and access to the pub's massive patio for views of the Fire & Ice and fireworks show.
The $100 ticket includes a complimentary glass of bubbly, party favours, finger foods, and rocking tunes from MC Adam. Register at gibbonswhistler.com.
Gibbons Hospitality, which runs several resort bars and clubs, strives to appeal to all of Whistler's diverse clientele on New Year's Eve.
"From the FireRock throwing an '80s-themed party, to Tapley's having live music, to a more classy event at the Longhorn, there's really something for everyone," says Tara Myers, Gibbons' events manager.
Buffalo Bills
Whistler's wildest dance floor gets wilder come New Year's Eve, for Bills' epic Bubbles & Bow Ties celebration.
DJ Peacefrog will be spinning your fave Top-40, classic rock, and old-school hip hop hits until all hours. And if you get hungry on the way, the Bills kitchen will be open from 7 to 11 p.m.
The $85 ticket includes party favours and a midnight champagne toast, available at gibbonswhistler.com.
Dusty's
Head over to Dusty's in Creekside if you want to welcome 2018 in style without spending a small fortune. There's no cover at the long-running après bar until 9 p.m., after which entry at the door will cost a very reasonable $20. Check out one of Whistler's most spacious dance floors, where DJ Trax will be spinning beats all night long.
Brickworks
Another go-to option for the budget-conscious partier is Brickworks on Main Street, home to one of the resort's largest craft beer selections and, on New Year's Eve, the soulful sounds of Whistler's Queen of R&B, JennaMae Togado & The Groove Section.
Free cover and a complimentary glass of champagne once the ball drops.
Dubh Linn Gate
Ring in the New Year the Emerald Isle way at Whistler's beloved Irish pub. The Dubh Linn Gate's Masquerade Party includes a DJ spinning tunes 'til late, complimentary canapés and bubbly.
Tapley's
Whistler's own Lazy Ghost will be bringing its laidback psychedelic vibe to Tapley's this New Year's Eve for a night of live music and tripped-out visuals, courtesy of XL Audio Visual.
DJ &E will close the night out with an epic dance party. Party favours for the first 100 guests, and a champagne toast at 12 a.m.
FireRock Lounge
As you count down the clock this New Year's Eve, the FireRock will be turning it all the way back to the decade of poofed-up hair and shoulder pads. Back to The '80s New Year's Eve will feature boogie-inspiring tunes from DJ J-to-the-U all the way until 3 a.m.
Tickets are $25, available at gibbonswhistler.com.
Fairmont Chateau Whistler
For those looking for a more sophisticated way to celebrate 2018, Whistler's foremost name in luxury is hosting Black, White & Sparkles gala dinner and dance. The Fairmont's grand Macdonald ballroom will be transformed into a winter wonderland, with an extravagant buffet dinner on tap and an evening of dancing set to the soundtrack of the Famous Players Band.
Tickets are $199, available by emailing [email protected].
Sidecut
The Four Seasons' famed steakhouse will satisfy even the most insatiable appetites on Dec. 31 with its sumptuous five-course dinner and black-tie dinner. A live band will keep the vibe going while you digest, and the $265 ticket ($100 for children six to 12 years old) gets you dinner, two drink tickets, and a midnight toast.
Tickets at sidecutwhistler.com.
